Woodcliff Lake, NJ – May 12, 2012 6:00pm EDT… BMW today released the first images and information on the next generation BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon and announced that, as with the two previous generations, this model will be offered in the US. Unlike anything else on the market, the all-new 3 Series Sports Wagon will again offer the flexibility and utility one would expect from a premium wagon combined with the driving dynamics of the quintessential sport sedan, the BMW 3 Series. The new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon will launch in Europe later this year and is set to arrive in US showrooms in Spring 2013. Powertrain details for the US as well as pricing, specifications and standard/optional equipment will be announced at a later date.

Like its Sedan sibling, the new 3 Series Sports Wagon is slightly larger than its predecessor, most notably its wider track (front + 37 mm/1.46 in., rear + 48 mm/1.85 in.). The car’s length (+ 97 mm/3.66 in.) and wheelbase (+ 50 mm/1.96 in.) also accentuate its sporting promise. Inside the new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon, rear passengers will appreciate the noticeable increase in space made possible by the larger dimensions. These larger dimensions also pay dividends in utility with nearly ten percent more cargo volume both with the rear seats up and when folded.

The new 3 Series Sports Wagon will be the next model to offer BMW Lines as a way to tailor the car to individual tastes, just as with the Sedan, by choosing from a trio of trim and equipment variants – the Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line. Each presents its own individual take on the character of the Sports wagon, with exclusive, high-quality trim and material combinations. For the enthusiast who wants to go beyond even the Sport Line, the M Sport Line will also be offered because it is, after all, a BMW 3 Series at its heart.

Striking face with precise contours and multi-faceted surfaces.
Characteristically, the sporting nature of the new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon is made apparent to the eye by its wide track. By accentuating the width of the car, the multi-faceted surfaces of the expressive front fascia give the 3 Series Sports Wagon a more athletic face than ever.

A three-dimensional interpretation of the upright, slightly forward-slanting BMW kidney grille emphasizes an assured presence. LED accent lights positioned like eyebrows above the traditional four round headlights with corona rings (if Adaptive Xenon headlights are specified) lend an extra intensity to the classic BMW focused look. Clearly defined headlight surrounds now extend up to the frame of the kidney grille, merging the headlights and grille into a single stylistic element and adding further emphasis to the car’s broad-set stance. The 3 Series Sports Wagon replaces the central air intake of its predecessor with two larger intakes, which are positioned underneath the headlights to the outer edges of the front fascia and add extra depth to the car’s sporty look. On the left and right edges of the main ducts are small vertical intakes which help create the “Air Curtain”. This new technology improves air flow around the front wheels, enhancing aerodynamic efficiency and reducing fuel consumption at higher speeds.

The closely spaced, squat openings of the kidney grille, with their eye-catching surrounds, form the most prominent element of the new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon’s front design. It is also where the precise lines of the dynamically contoured hood begin at the base of the A pillars and flow over the full length of the hood. The result is a front that appears lower-slung, giving 3 Series Sports Wagon a clear sporting edge when viewed head-on.

Precise lines produce a silhouette that enhances the car’s dynamic impact.
Powerfully taut surfaces with sweeping lines dominate the side view of the BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon, stretching the car visually and lending extra verve to its dynamic stance. The flanks of the car are shaped by an eye-catching double character line running alongside each other. The higher character line emerges out of the low-slung nose and flows over the front wheel with an understated sweep, in a nod to the wagon’s fleetness of foot. The second character line develops lower down behind the front wheel and follows a delicately arching path towards the rear. Together, they reinforce the dynamic wedge shape of the car’s flanks. As well as providing a discreet increase in muscularity in the rear section below the character line, these styling cues also create vivid light and shade effects, which draw further attention to the car’s wide track.

The car’s athletic overall impression is emphasized by the steeply raked D-pillars, the angle of the rear window and the subtly wedge-shaped geometry of the window surfaces. The roofline – which slopes downwards slightly to the rear and is extended visually by a spoiler – and the “Hofmeister kink” at the foot of the D-pillar also generate a sense of dynamic tension. The finely balance between the greenhouse and the body lends the new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon a sporty, elegant and nimble look, while the rear lights extend well into the sides of the body and combine with its flowing lines to create a harmonious transition between the flanks and rear section.

The rear of the new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon also boasts a blend of sporting elegance and modern practicality. The horizontal lines and L-shaped lights set far to the outer edges accentuate the subtly flared fenders and the wider track. Two integrated bars of LEDs allow a slim light design and ensure they maintain an appearance that is instantly recognizable as a BMW both day and night. The positioning of the lights at the outer edges of the rear underline the car’s hunkered-down stance on the road. The large tailgate opening and low sill make loading and unloading bulky items that much easier.

The new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon again features a rear window that opens separately from the tailgate. The window is unlocked electrically via a button on the rear window wiper arm and opened by hand. This practical function makes it easier to load and unload smaller items – especially when space is tight, as the rear window opens up rather than out.

In order to make access to its generous cargo area easier, a power tailgate will be offered for the first time on a 3 Series Sports Wagon. Getting into the cargo area can be done at the touch of a button, either on the remote key or from inside the interior. Access is made even easier when Comfort Access is ordered, which will include the Hands Free Opening Tailgate. If one approaches the new 3 Series Sports Wagon with hands full, one need only stick a foot under the rear bumper and the tailgate automatically swings open.

Practicality and versatility: Hallmarks for the new 3 Series Sports Wagon
The new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon offers remarkable flexibility. A net as well as an additional strap along the right side panel can be used to help secure cargo. Four tie-downs are integrated into the cargo floor. A net along the left-hand panel will also be available. A pair of coat hooks and an addition 12-volt outlet add an extra measure of flexibility. A storage tray under the load compartment floor and a deep stowage compartment on the left-hand side of the cargo area can accommodate smaller items. Another neat twist, the luggage compartment cover can be stowed away under the load compartment floor, allowing it to be kept in the car even when not in use. Also standard is a separate partition net, which can be employed in a variety of ways even when the rear seat backrests are folded down. The rear seats can be folded down in three sections in a 40:20:40 split. The large through-loading facility allows the new 3 Series Sports Wagon to carry four adults and longer items, such as skis or snowboards, at the same time.

In addition to the flexibility and utility offered by the interior of the new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon, other features unique to this model includes roof-rails to accommodate all manner of storage racks for everything from bicycles and skis to cargo boxes. It will also be available with a full glass panoramic sunroof.

BMW ConnectedDrive: The latest in safety and infotainment
With its broad range of driver assistance systems and mobility services, all offered as part of BMW ConnectedDrive, the new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon sets a new benchmark when it comes to safety, convenience and infotainment. To ensure that the available features deliver the maximum benefit, the exchange of information between the passengers, the vehicle and the outside world is managed by BMW ConnectedDrive.

The new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon is available with a full-color Head-Up Display. It projects key information in sharp resolution onto the windshield in the driver’s direct field of vision. Depending on the vehicle specification the speed limit is noted in addition to the car’s speed. The driver can also see navigation instructions and various alerts in the Head-Up Display. Thanks to the wide variety of driver assistance systems available in the new BMW 3 Series range, more information can be placed in the driver’s direct line-of-sight while their eyes remain squarely on the road.

State-of-the-art camera technology provides the potential for new levels of safety and convenience. Active Safety options include Lane Departure Warning as well as Blind Spot Detection. Backing up and parking both are made easier with the available Rear-view Camera with Top View which provides a bird’s-eye view of the car. Another convenience-enhancing assistance system is the BMW Parking Assistant, which takes charge of maneuvering into parking spaces making parallel-parking a breeze.

BMW Assist, a globally unique mobility service, comprises among other features a telephone information service and BMW’s industry-leading enhanced Automatic Collision Notification function with automatic detection of the vehicle location. BMW Assist also includes Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity.

Other innovative technologies allow the integration of the Apple iPhone and other smartphones as well as music players, including the use of Internet-based services. The Apps option enables iPhone users, among other things, to receive Internet radio stations and to display Facebook and Twitter posts on the onboard monitor. With BMW Apps, iPhone users can access and listen to music streaming services like Pandora and MOG today with Stitcher coming soon.

The all-new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon again brings the versatility of a wagon with the driving dynamics of the quintessential sport sedan. The new 3 Series Sports wagon will be arriving in US showrooms in spring 2013. Powertrain details for the US as well as pricing, specifications and standard/optional equipment will be announced at a later date.

The new edition of the BMW 3 Series Touring makes its mark in the premium sports estate segment with its hallmark BMW dynamic prowess, enhanced practicality and versatility, and a range of standard equipment features assembled to meet the challenges of everyday life. The new car’s larger interior is extremely versatile and designed to adapt to everything its customers’ modern, active lifestyles can throw at it. In this role, the new BMW 3 Series Touring convinces equally as both a sporty, elegant and dynamic way to eat up the miles and a comfortable and spacious vehicle for sports and leisure pursuits.

Its harmonious proportions ensure the new BMW 3 Series Touring appears from every angle as if cut from a single mould and proves that impressive practicality and dynamic design need not be mutually exclusive. The sweeping silhouette with smoothly sloping roofline, side windows extending well back to the rear and a powerful rear end all combine to create a distinctive Touring character and highlight the huge potential of the new BMW 3 Series variant at first glance.

Leading the way: more space for luggage and clever details.
With 97 millimetres added to the car’s overall length and 50 millimetres to its wheelbase, the new BMW 3 Series Touring offers extra room for passengers and luggage alike. Plus, this space can be adapted for a variety of uses, allowing the new car to turn its hand to a range of activities. A 35-litre increase in capacity (to 495 litres) means the load compartment can offer more space than any of the Touring’s rivals. Standard equipment designed to meet the challenges of everyday life, such as the 40:20:40 split/folding rear seat bench, the automatic tailgate with separate rear window opening, the stainless steel protective strip on the comfortably low loading sill (62 centimetres from the ground), the separate partition net and a luggage compartment cover that stows away neatly into an underfloor compartment highlight the ability of the new BMW 3 Series Touring to adapt as required to the situation at hand.

Made-to-measure options like the adaptive attachment system with variable plug-in elements for the load compartment floor, the hands-free tailgate opening function as part of the Comfort Access option, and the electrically pivoting trailer coupling further enhance long-distance comfort and make it even easier to transport a variety of gear.

Alongside its extra practicality and versatility, the new BMW 3 Series Touring also benefits from enhanced ride comfort, the availability of the new Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line equipment packages, and the materials and colour concept familiar from the recently introduced 3 Series Sedan.
An optional M Sport package will also be available from launch.

The range kicks off with the BMW 328i, 330d and 320d Touring.
Agility and dynamic performance are among the other qualities which set the new BMW 3 Series Touring apart. Customers can choose from three refined, economical and punchy engines at launch, all of which boast BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. Alongside the new four-cylinder petrol unit developing 180 kW/245 hp and revised 2-litre diesel with 135 kW/184 hp, the line-up also includes an optimised six-cylinder diesel producing 190 kW/ 258 hp that combines sporty dynamics with significantly reduced fuel consumption and emissions. All engines fulfil the stipulations of the EU5 exhaust standard, while the 320d diesel unit can be further optimised to meet EU6 specification, if desired. The Driving Experience Control switch with ECO PRO mode, meanwhile, opens up extra fuel-saving potential for all engine variants.

A sporty six-speed manual gearbox sends power to the rear wheels in the four-cylinder models. And BMW also offers an innovative eight-speed automatic transmission – fitted as standard in the six-cylinder diesel model – as an option. A further option is the eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifts on the steering wheel. Both transmission variants link up with the fuel consumption-reducing Auto Start-Stop function.

Advanced suspension technology, featuring a large number of light-alloy components and new tuning, the torque steer-free Electric Power Steering, an up to 40-kilogram lighter overall weight and finely-balanced axle load distribution set the seal on the car’s dynamic concept. State-of-the-art electronic control systems enhance the dynamic potential of the new
BMW 3 Series Touring and help to ensure it displays the perfect combination of sporting prowess and ride comfort. The new Touring can be ordered with M Sport suspension or the Adaptive M Sport suspension as an option.

BMW EfficientDynamics.
In addition to its enviable practicality and sporting dynamics, the outstanding fuel economy of the new BMW 3 Series Touring helps maximise driving pleasure. The key here is the BMW EfficientDynamics development strategy, whose influence can be seen in virtually every area of the new model. In addition to the ultra-frugal petrol and diesel engines, the intelligent lightweight construction concept, optimised aerodynamics and other measures including the Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, Optimum Shift Indicator and on-demand operation of ancillary components, ensure that the powerful BMW 3 Series Touring also boasts impressively low fuel consumption and emissions. The Driving Experience Control switch with ECO PRO mode offers further potential for fuel saving.

BMW ConnectedDrive.
An extensive selection of driver assistance systems and mobility solutions, offered as standard or as options under the BMW ConnectedDrive programme, allows the new BMW 3 Series Touring to set the benchmark in its segment in terms of safety, convenience and infotainment. One highlight of the range is the latest-generation full-colour Head-Up Display, which projects key information onto the windscreen in sharp resolution. Included alongside an array of other comfort and safety-enhancing assistance systems is extremely effective interface technology that allows extensive use of external mobile phones and numerous Bluetooth office functions for internet-based services.

The Apps option and the free BMW Connected app provide a gateway to services such as social networks, web radio and the iPhone calendar function. Finally, information and office services along with travel and leisure planners further enhance the individual convenience and comfort of travelling in the new BMW 3 Series Touring.

I was originally unimpressed with this car when I saw the spy photos. I"m happy to be a lot more impressed with the real deal. I'm VERY happy to know it is coming to the US. I only hope they give us more engine choices. I would love to have a 335i Touring.

It looks like the new BMW will be getting here just a few months before the lease runs out on my 2011 Sport Wagon. I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

Why? It is a tidy station wagon that nicely continues the lines of the car.

I'll never own a wagon, SUV, mini-van, pick-up or other dreamcrusher - but if you need/want one this looks like an attractive option.

either you are young, single or married without kids. there are limited kid haulers in the world and the f31 is probably at the top of most people's lists that don't want their manhood totally stripped away. aside from a used rs6 or maybe an E61, there are very limited wagons with manual transmissions around.